WHITEVILLE, Tenn. — West Tennessee Skydiving has launched its 10th annual Sisters in Skydiving Boogie, the group’s largest yearly event aimed at celebrating and empowering women in the sport of skydiving.
This year’s gathering features a special guest: 86-year-old skydiver Kim Knor, a trailblazer in the sport and an icon among parachuting enthusiasts. Knor is currently on a national mission to complete 1,000 tandem jumps in pursuit of her official gold wings.
Knor began skydiving at the age of 20 and has since become a pioneering figure. She was a member of the first U.S. Women’s Parachute Team and is an inductee into the Skydiving Hall of Fame.
Speaking from the event, Knor shared her joy of flight:
“I thank God every day that we are up in the sky there. Oh. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I get to fly like a bird. I don’t need an engine, a motor, or anything like that. I can learn how to maneuver,” she said. “We did turns today when I just jumped with Jean and just by directing the air with your hands, you can turn around and do all kinds of things up there.”
The all-female boogie brings together skydivers from across the country to celebrate camaraderie and skill in the sky. Knor is scheduled to continue jumping at the West Tennessee drop zone through Thursday, June 12.